gravel vacuums- important?

[crissy7399]

I have a 46 bowfront, with a 70G cannister filter. We are still cycling the tank and it's been a month with fish in it (5 small tiger barbs and 3 small plattys).

We haven't got the gravel vacuum yet, so should we get one immediately? I've but been using a gallon jug to do water changes for now.

Does anyone have any recommendations on them? Are they just a tube to syphon (sp?) with? our sink is probably 5 feet away. I would like something easy to use.


Also, does anyone know when we should clean our filter? I know we're not suppose to clean the biological part. But how do you know when you need to do it, do you just have to look at something? or just do it on a regular basis?
I think we're starting to get a little algea in the tank, cause I can see little greenishbrown circles on the glass. I hope that not bad!

Thank you!!!!!
Crissy

 

[CAPSLOCK]

A 46g would probably be worth getting a python water change system for... it is basically a gravel vacuum that connects directly to the sink to drain and refill water. Otherwise, normal vacuums are easy to use. Just stick one end in the water and get the syphon going (I have issues with this, I have to suck on the end of the tube to get it going), and make sure the other end goes into a bucket or a sink. Yes, they're pretty much a tube to syphon with, but they've got a bigger end to stick in the gravel that'll suck it partway up and get the crud out of, then let the gravel settle back out. They also have a little safety barrier thing in there so you can't suck up a fish.

As long as water is going through it, the filter is probably fine. If you are running carbon in there, it needs to be changed every few weeks if you want it to stay active. The filter floss, if it gets really gross, can just be swished around in a bucket of tank water to get the real nasty junk off, and returned to the filter. It doesn't need to be changed all that often, I think most members on here change them twice a year or so, and the rest of the time they just swish them.

 

[crissy7399]

thanks for the really fast response!

I think I will look into that python thing.

Okay, I'm retarded, but what is a filter floss? Is it the rectangle 1/4 inch thick foam like thing? How often should you "swish" them? Every month or two?

Regarding the carbon, there was the black things and the white things in the mesh bags that we stuck in the filter when we put it together. Can I ask what the carbon does- and is it necessary for us to keep it active? What if you don't do it every few weeks and just do it every few months, does that make it not work how it's suppose to? Guess that's another thing I need to read up on!

I wish there wasn't so much to learn about a fish tank. Why can't they be simple!?!

 

[Orion]

Python's make water changes a snap. I would deffintaly get one of these.

Filter floss is normally either the white or blue material that the water passes though that removes solid waste out of the water. These should be changed or cleaned when it needs it.

Carbon removes chemicals and other toxins from the tank. A healthy tank shouldn't have anything like in it, so carbon isn't nessessary on a daily basis.

It's not to bad to learn how to run a fish tank as long as you don't try to learn it all in a day. That's what we are here for. When you have a question, just ask.

 

[crissy7399]

thanks Orion!

When I get the python, how careful should I be around the plants? I was also thinking about changing out my regular aquarium gravel for that black sand stuff- oh, i can't remember what it was called, some island like name. Don't you hate it when you can't think of something!?!

Anyways, how does sand work with the python, wouldn't it be light enough to get sucked up? more so than gravel?

 

[Orion]

I've yet to live in a place that had enough water pressure that a python would do any damage to any plants other than possably the most delicate of species. I've kept most of the normal stuff plant wise and haven't had a problem with it.

The black sand your talking about is probably Tahitian moon sand. I've seen it called Tahitian Island Moon sand before too. never used the stuff, but normally sand doesn't made a great substrate for plants because it has a tendency to not allow the roots to grow as well or to allow many nutrients or fresh water around the roots. The more course the sand (the bigger the grains are) the less of a problem this will become.

Sand isn't a problem with a python. All you do is hover the tube over the sand rather than sticking it in it. If you stick it in it, it will suck up the sand. By hovering it, you can still pick up the waste and not alot of sand.

 

[crissy7399]

your good! that was the sand I was talking about. I thought it was better for plants to have sand. Maybe I read that wrong.

I was going to get an elephant nose, and they like sand, so I thought it would be a good idea to change it out. Hmmmm. guess I'll decide on that later.

Great. Thank you once again!
Crissy